The following is a press release issued by the County of Mendocino:
It is with much gratitude that the Mendocino County Museum acknowledges an extraordinary donation from the Trust of William L. Bittenbender, in the amount of $500,000. While the Museum had been advised they would receive a dividend from the Trust, the overwhelmingly generous amount was not anticipated.
After reserving $10,000 for the Fiscal Year 2023/24 Museum budget, the remaining amount of $490,000 will be transferred to the Community Foundation Endowment so that accrued interest can sustain the Museum’s vision of being: a vibrant social, cultural, and educational center of Mendocino County, strengthening community and enhancing the wellbeing of all, for years to come. Contributions to endowments are critical for museums and the financial gift to the Mendocino County Museum could not have arrived at a better time, given that bolstering our financial sustainability is a high priority.
The Museum is proud to be the stewards of a significant collection of artifacts and archival materials pertaining to the lumber industry and local history, donated by William Bittenbender in 2007. Currently, the Museum has the Bittenbender camera collection on display as part of the current exhibit, Gadgets Galore!
For more information, please visit www.mendocinocounty.org/museum or contact the Mendocino County Museum at museum@mendocinocounty.org or 707-234-6365.
Thank you to the family and Trust of William L. Bittenbender for funding the museum with an ongoing dividend from a generous grant. This little museum is an overlooked gem that was recently on the county chopping block. Your financial support will help it survive and hopefully thrive.